SAN GABRIEL – According to San Gabriel Councilman Kevin Sawkins, there ought to be a law requiring motorists who hit animals to report such incidents to authorities.

Sawkins’ dog Max was recently hit by a car and he has seen that happen to other pets.

“I thought we needed some clarity on the hit-and-run laws,” he said.

Now Sawkins’ proposal is heading to Sacramento, where local Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, will introduce it in the Legislature. Eng selected the councilman’s proposal as part of the “There ought to be a law” contest that lets his constituents suggest changes to state law.

“It is based on the premise that laws don’t always have to come from important interest groups and lobbyists in Sacramento,” Eng said. “In my opinion, they should also be allowed to come from the good people in our district.”

Eng announced the selection at an event Friday morning. He also disclosed his legislative package for the upcoming session, which includes proposals to go after tax cheats, stronger consumer protections and the creation of green jobs.

Eng believes requiring motorists to report when they hit an animal is an important way to protect animals and their owners.

“Under current law, when motorists hit property, they’re required to stop and report it, but they can injure or kill a pet and keep driving,” Eng said.

Sawkins said the idea came to him after he witnessed animals being struck and killed with no regard by motorists.

Eng will introduce the bill in committee; if it survives, it will go to the Assembly floor for a full vote, then to the state Senate and, if all goes well, on to the governor’s office.

Eng said the bill has a chance of becoming law; last year’s contest winner’s bill was passed and signed by the governor. That bill dealt with providing reasonable accommodations for patients who have to be taken off of life-support systems.

“We do hope it will pass and get support,” said Pasadena Humane Society spokeswoman Ricky Whitman. “The issue is that people already know that if they hit another car or a person, there is a problem, but not with a pet. A pet or a wild animal will be left suffering, and that’s just not necessary.”

Eng believes the law will benefit people as much as animals.

“As someone who’s had a family pet before, and having seen animals laying by the side of the road, they deserve better and the families deserve better,” he said.